Scientist to investigate potential new targets to inhibit cancer growth

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) has received a two-year, $153,000 grant from the National Institute of Health’s National Cancer Institute to evaluate a potential new pathway for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. This new pathway could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic tools in treating malignancies.

COX-2 is an enzyme that plays a critical role in the development and spread of cancers. Currently, COX-2 inhibitors are utilized as treatments in prostate cancers and some other types of cancers. However, Dr. Sorokin’s research indicates there may be a more effective target to turn “off” the switch that allows the cancer cells to continue to grow.

In this project, Dr. Sorokin and his team will evaluate COX-2 regulation by a type of enzymes called kinases that modifies proteins by adding a phosphate group. A specific kinase called Fyn has been linked to cancer progression and will be evaluated as a novel regulator of COX-2. The project will enhance our understanding of the signaling mechanisms at a cellular level that cause cancer progression, and could provide new diagnostic tools and offer novel therapeutic targets to treat prostate cancer.